Packer grid and fingers assembly

ABSTRACT

A packer grid and fingers assembly comprises a grid defining at least one grid cubicle having an article-passageway therethrough, and a plurality of replaceable finger subassemblies for each grid cubicle disposed about the passage thereof and having an orientation generally normal to the grid. Each grid comprises a plurality of intersecting plates forming at least one grid cubicle of polygonal configuration, and a plurality of centrally apertured polygonal means for locking a pair of intersecting plates in such interlocking relationship. Each finger subassembly is disposed in an opposed corner of the grid cubicle, and comprises an elongated substantially rigid finger, means for removably and pivotally securing the finger subassembly to the grid cubicle external to the passage, and means for urging an end of the finger spaced from the grid towards the axis of the passage. The securing means comprises a resilient block disposed on the rear surface of the finger and having a horizontal groove on the finger-facing surface intermediate the ends thereof. The groove receives a side of the locking means and permits the finger subassembly to pivot about such side, the side being removably maintained in the groove by the rear surface of the finger. The urging means comprises a resilient composition disposed between the grid and the rear surface of the finger urging the bottom end of the finger towards the passage axis, where it forms a &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;point&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; with the other finger ends of the grid cubicle.

United States Patent Kennedy et a1.

1 Sept. 30, 1975 PACKER GRID AND FINGERS ASSEMBLY Inventors: Francis M. Kennedy, Lynchburg;

David Phillips, Forest, both of Va.

[73] Assignee: Simplimatic Engineering Co.,

Lynchburg, Va.

[22] Filed: Jan. 9, 1974 Appl. No.: 431,948

Primary Emminer-Robert L. Spruill [57} ABSTRACT A packer grid and fingers assembly comprises a grid defining at least one grid cubicle having an articlepassageway therethrough, and a plurality of replaceable finger subassemblies for each grid cubicle dis posed about the passage thereof and having an orientation generally normal to the grid. Each grid comprises a plurality of intersecting plates forming at least one grid cubicle of polygonal configuration, and a plurality of centrally apertured polygonal means for locking a pair of intersecting plates in such interlocking relationship. Each finger subassembly is disposed in an opposed corner of the grid cubicle. and comprises an elongated substantially rigid finger, means for removably and pivotally securing the finger subassembly to the grid cubicle external to the passage, and means for urging an end of the finger spaced from the grid towards the axis of the passage. The securing means comprises a resilient block disposed on the rear surface of the finger and having a horizontal groove on the finger-facing surface intermediate the ends thereof. The groove receives a side of the locking means and permits the finger subassembly to pivot about such side, the side being removably maintained in the groove by the rear surface of the finger. The urging means comprises a resilient composition disposed between the grid and the rear surface of the finger urging the bottom end of the finger towards the passage axis, where it forms a point with the other finger ends of the grid cubicle.

21 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures US. Patent Sept. 30,1975 Sheet 1 of 5 3,908,339

US. Patent Sept. 30,1975 Sheet 2 of5 3,908,339

US. Patent Sept. 30,1975 Sheet 3 of5 3,908,339

Baaa US. Patent Sept. 30,1975 Sheet4 of5 3,908,339

U.S. Patent Sept. 30,1975 Sheet 5 of5 3,908,339

PACKER GRID AND FINGERS ASSEMBLY BACKGROUND OFTHElNvENTlN units is accomplished, the temporary floor is removed.

(shifted or released) and the product unit is permitted to drop or fall through a grid into the carton positioned directly below. By way of example, if the carton is a 4x6 twenty-four-unit pack, then four rows of six units each are grouped over the removable floor,-the positioning of the produet'units on the temporary floor being identical with the desired positioning in the carton. In certain instances, a temporary floor is unnecessary for example, when the product units are suspended from above during positioning or when a staggered drop'of the product units into the carton is acceptable.

As most cartons have partitions placed therein to separate the product units and prevent them from contacting each other (for example, to minimize breakage or abrasion of the product units during shipment), it is vital that each product unit be precisely directed into the center of its particular partition square or cubicle. This is typically accomplished by means of a packer grid andfingers assembly. In such an assembly a grid defines a pattern of pockets conforming to the pattern of partition cubicles in the carton and a plurality of resilient fingers depend from-the grid into the carton, each grid pocket normally having spot welded, cemented or screwed thereon four fingers which come to a point at their lowestiextremity. When such a point isproperlyprojected into the center of a partition cubicle of the carton prior to the release of the temporary flooring, the fingers dependably present the product units to the partition cubicles in such a manner that the product u'nit passage is-not'in'terfered with by the'top edge of the partition cubicles.

The fingers are generally made of a resilient material (such as spring steel or pre-stressed plastic) so that the weight of the product unit during its drop or fall will de-' fleet thefingers outboard from the point and permit the product unit to enterthe partition cubicle: Obviously the tension of the resilient'material forming the fingers is critical as too much tension restricts the fall (so that the partition cubicle is not filled or is filled too slowly) and too little tension precludes the fingers from coming to the point required to properly find the partition cubicle.

While automatic carton packing techniques have reached a high state'of sophistication ('e.g.; see the a paratus described in US. Pat. No; 3,461,108), the simple packer grid and fingersassemblies used therein have not proven to beentirely satisfactory in use. Fingers of spring steel can be easily bent out of shape during the course of normal operations, whilefinge'rs of tire production line. The initial cost of the resilient fingers is typically high,-as is the cost of replacing-them (ignoring, for the moment, the additional cost involved in even temporarily suspending a production line). The initial cost of the grid is also high as each element thereof must be precision manufactured as well as precision assembled in order to insure that grid is of proper dimensions and the product units are thus properly positioned over the partition cubicles of the carton Each grid subassembly (that is, the pocket of the grid receiving a single product unit) requires at least one screw, weld or other fastener adjacent each side thereof to insure structural strength and continued dimensional stability, the typical four sided grid subassembly thus re quiring four screws or welds.

Another problem encountered with the prior art packers was the absence of any self-correcting capabilities. If a carton cubicle were somewhat out-ofposition for proper receipt of the product unit from the grid pocket, a carton partition edge would press against one of the flexible fingers and bend it inwardly, thereby forming a corner or ledge which was almost certain to impede the drop of the product unit into the carton eubicle. 1

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a packer grid and fingers assembly using a finger subassembly which is simple, inexpensive, highly resis tant to damage, and easily replaceable without removal of the grid from the packing machine. I

Another object is to provide such an assemblyusing a grid subassembly affording high structural strength and. dimentional stability without requiring the use of screws, welds and the like.

An additional object is to provide such an assembly wherein the fingers have an ability to accommodate 'out-ofposition' carton cubicles by repositioning outboard of the point without bending.

A further object is to provide such an assembly which is inexpensive, of rugged construction, and composed of easily replaceable parts.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE jects of the present invention are obtained in 'apacker grid and fingers assembly using substantially rigid fingers easily removablefrom the grid. I

The packer grid and fingers assembly of the present invention comprises a grid defining at least one grid cubicle having an article-passage therethrough, and a plurality of replaceable finger subassemblies for each grid cubicle disposedabout the passage. Each of the finger subassemblies has an orientation generally normal to the grid and in turn comprises an elongated substantially rigid finger, means for removably. and pivotally securing the finger subassembly to the grid cubicle external to the passage, and means for urging an end of the finger spaced from the grid toward the axis of the passage. In normal operation, the grid assembly has a generally horizontal orientation and the finger subassembly has a generally vertical orientation.

pre'stressed plastic have provento be highly suscepti-- ble to being cut by broken glass, sharp can edges and the like. When replacement of a finger is required (for l 'Generally, the grid cubicle comprises a plurality of intersecting plates forming at leastone grid cubicle of polygonal configuration and a plurality of centrally apertured polygonal means for'locking apair of intersecting plates in such intersecting relationship. Typically each of the grid cubicles comprises fourof the plates interlocked .withfour of the locking means to form a centrally apertured grid cubicle of square configuration. The grid further includes a rigid post depending from each corner of each cubicle to provide a bearing surface.

Generally the finger subassemblies are disposed in the corners of the grid cubicle, each finger having a front surface facing the central vertical axis of the cubicle passage and a rear surface facing an adjacent corner of the cubicle. The urging means comprises a resilient composition disposed between the grid and the rear surface of the finger, urging the bottom of the finger forwardly towards the passage axis; it is preferably either a leaf-spring secured to the finger and bearing rearwardly on the grid or a helical compression spring secured to the grid and bearing forwardly on the finger. The securing means comprises a block disposed on the rear surface of the finger and having a horizontal groove on the fingerfacing surface intermediate the ends thereof, the groove engagingly receiving a side of the locking means (between the corners thereof) within the grid cubicle. The lower portion of the block on one side of the groove is integrally fastened to the finger, while an upper portion of the block on the other side of the groove is resiliently displacable from the finger to permit the locking means side access to and from the groove between the finger and the displaced upper block portion.

To secure the finger subassembly to a corner of the grid cubicle, the finger subassembly is slipped upwardly over the side of the locking means within the corner of the grid cubicle until the locking means side is engagingly and pivotally received within the groove. Thus positioned, only the smooth front surface of the finger is presented to the product unit dropping through the grid and fingers, while the other operative parts of the finger subassembly are protected behind the rear surface of the finger. The urging means bears against a rigid post of the grid urging the bottom end of the finger forwardly toward the axis of the grid passage so as to form, with the other bottom finger ends, a point for positioning the product unit into the center of the carton cubicles. As a product unit falls or drops through the grid cubicle and depending finger subassemblies, the finger subassemblies retreat to permit passage therethrough of the product unit by pivoting rearwardly about the side of the locking means. Replacement of the entire finger subassembly is accomplished by a simple use of force sufficient to displace the upper portion of the block rearwardly and thus permit the side of the lock ing means disposed within the groove to escape between the upper block portion and the rear surface of the finger.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, each of the plates in the grid has at least two spaced groups of slots; Each group consists of a pair of slots of a first width and an intermediate slot of a second width disposed between the pair of slots. The first width is substantially the thickness of the locking means between the central aperture thereof and an outer corner thereof, while the second width is substantially the thickness of the intersecting plate. Each of the slots on a plate vertically open into a single horizontal edge of the plate, and the slotted edges of intersecting plates are disposed in an alternating vertical configurationthat is, on one plate the slotted edge faces upwardly, and on the intersecting plate the slotted edge faces downwardly. The plates are arranged in the grid so that the intermediate slot of a first plate receives a portion of a second plate vertically aligned with the intermediate slot of the second plate to establish an intersecting relationship between the plates. One pair of opposed corners of the locking means is received by the pair of slots of one plate, and the other pair of opposed corners is received by the pair of slots of the intersecting plate, thereby locking the plates in the intersecting relationship.

Where the grid is composed of a large number of grid cubicles, each of the plates will have at least three of the spaced slot groups, and one of the locking means will lock a pair of intersecting plates intermediate the end slot groups thereof, thereby to form one corner each of four grid cubicles. In this instance each side of the locking means is engaged by a different one of the finger subassemblies associated with a different one of the four grid cubicles. Thus only one locking means is required for each corner of a central grid cubicle, the locking means taking the place of the screws or welds previously used to form the grid cubicles, at the same time providing support and pivot points for the various finger subassemblies.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a fragmentary isometric view of a packer grid and fingers assembly according to the present invention designed for the packing of 12 product bottles into a 3 X 4 unit carton, the product bottles above and the carton below being illustrated in phantom line;

FIG. 2 is an exploded fragmentary isometric view, to an enlarged scale, of one intersecting or corner of a grid defined by two intersecting plates and a locking ring;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary isometric view of the intersection or corner of the grid cubicle shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an isometric view, from the rear, of the fin ger and urging means of a finger subassembly accord ing to the present invention;

FIG. 5 is an isometric view, from the front and to a greatly enlarged scale, of the securing block of a finger subassembly according to the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary top plan view, to a greatly enlarged scale, of a single grid cubicle (and four associated finger subassemblies) of the assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a front elevation view, in cross section, ,of the single grid cubicle of FIG. 6 taken along the line 77, showing the fingers coming to a point;

FIG. 8 is a front elevation view, in cross section, of the single grid cubicle of FIG. 7, showing the fingers being retracted to accommodate therebetween a product unit indicated in phantom line; and

FIG. 9 is a front elevation view, in cross section, of a single grid cubicle of another embodiment of the present invention, the fingers being shown in phantom line in the retracted position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to the drawing, and in particular to FIG. 1 thereof, therein illustrated is a packer grid and fingers assembly generally designated by the numeral 10 and embodying the principles of thepresent invention. The packer grid and fingers assembly 10 comprises a grid generally designated by the numeral 12 and defining at least one grid cubicle designated by the numeral 14. A plurality of finger subassemblies generally designated by the numeral l6 are removablyand pivotally secured to each of the internal corners of each of the grid cubicles 14. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the entire grid 12 has a substantially horizontal orientation and four of the finger subassemblies 16 depend in a generally vertical orientation from each of the square grid cubicles, the bottom ends of the four finger subassemblies 16 sloping towards one another to from a point. Disposed beneath the assembly is a carton generally designated by the numeral 18 having a network of partitions 20 defining carton cubicles 22, each carton cubicle 22 being vertically aligned'with one of the grid cubicles 14 and the point 24 of its associated finger subassemblies 16 for the receipt of a product unit 26 dropping through such grid cubicles 14 and its associated finger subassemblies 16.

Referring now to FIGS. 24, the grid 12 is comprised of a plurality of rectangular planar plates 30 and a plurality of centrally apertured polygonal locking means" 32. Each of the plates 30 has at least two spaced slot groupings generally designated by the numeral 34 spaced along a horizontal extending edge of the plate 30. Each slot group 34 includes a pair of vertically extending slots 36, 38 and an intermediate vertically extending slot 40 sandwiched between the slots 36, 38. While each of the slots 36, 38 has a width just sufficient to permit a corner of the locking means 32 to be received therein, the intermediate slot 40 has a width substantially equal to the thickness of another plate 30 which would be received therewithin. Each of the slots 36, 38 and 40 opens vertically on a single horizontal edge of the plate 30, the plate 30 having the slots 36-40 opening on the top horizontal edge thereof. Plate 30 is an upside down version of the plate 30 so that its slots 3640 open on a bottom horizontal edge. For reasons which will become apparent later, the plates 30 (in I which the slots 36-40 open upwardly) also have small externally threaded rigid studs 50 vertically depending from the bottom horizontal edge thereof in vertical alignment with the intermediate slots 40.

Referring now to FIG. 3 in particular, when a plurality of plates 30, 30' are assembled in intersecting relationship to form a grid 12, each intermediate slot 40 of a plate 30 receives a portion of a transverse plate 30' of square cross section regularly spaced from one another, each of the plates 30, 30' has its slot groupings 34 regularly spaced on the appropriate horizontal edge thereof, with a common spacing being used both for plate 30 and transverse plate 30'. However, when the carton cubicles 22 are not of square cross section, the spacing between the slot groupings 34 on plate 30 may differ from that on transverse plate 30; similarly, when the carton cubicles 22 are irregularly spaced from one another, the slot groupings 34 may be, irregularly spaced along the appropriate horizontal edge of each plate 30, 30.

In order to lock a pair of plates 30, 30 in intersecting relationship, and for other reasons which will become "of a transverse plate 30'. Thus, in each slot grouping 34, the'intermediate slot 40 is occupied by an intersecting plate 30 or 30', while the slots 36, 38 adjacent thereto are occupied by opposed corners of the ring 32. The ring 32 thus serves to lock the two plates in their intersecting relationship.

As will be immediately apparent from' an examination of the nature of the joint formed by the intersecting plates 30, 30 and locking ring 32, during assembly of the grid 12, the ring 32 is initially seated on a first plate 30 or 30 (with two of its corners occupying the slots 36, 38 thereof) prior to the application of any intersecting second plate 30 or 30; the latter is then dropped into'positi'on within the intermediate slot 40 of the first plate, the slots 36, 38 of-the second plate slipping over remaining corners of the ring 32. Both the plates 30 and rings 32 are typically formed of steel or other high structural strength material, the sides of the ring 32 preferably being coated to provide a non-stick surface. The length of the plates 30 and the number of slot groups 34 thereon will depend upon the number of grid cubicles 14 to be contained within grid 12. The end portion of the plates 30, 30 extending from the peripheral grid cubicles 14 provide means for easily securing the entire assembly 10 in the desired position between the product unit staging area and the carton 18.

Referring now in particular to FIG. 3, the small, short, rigid studs 50 depending from the plates 30 (with upwardly opening slot groups 34) are vertically aligned with the intermediate slots 40, and thus with the intersection points of the various plates 30, 30' in the assembled grid 1'2. Referring now in particular to FIG. I, a larger, longer rigid post 52 is secured in depending fashion from each of the studs 50. As shown, the stud 50 is externally threaded and the top of post 52 has an internally threaded aperture designed to removably engage the threaded stud 50. Alternatively, the post 52 may be secured to the stud 50 by conventional fastening means such as adhesives and the like. In some instances the plate 30 may simply be molded or stamped to provide an integral post 52, thus eliminating the need for connecting stud 50. The rigid post 52 is preferably composed of low friction material such as polytet rafiouroethylene or nylon, or, if formed of metal, treated to provide a low friction surface adjacent finger subassemblies 16.

Having thus described the grid 12, it is noted that the position of the slots 36-40 stamped into the plates 30, 30 positively controls the precise size of the grid cubicles 14', and the resulting grid 12 is of high structural strength and requires no fasteners of welds other than the lock rings 32 independently required as support and pivot points for finger subassemblies 16, as hereinafter described in detail.

Referring now to FIGS. 4-6, each of the replaceable finger subassemblies 16 disposed about the passage through a grid cubicle 14 comprises an elongated substantially rigid finger 60, means 62 for removably and pivotally securing the finger assembly 16 to the grid cubicle 14 external to the passage, and means 64 for urging the bottom end of the finger 60 toward the central vertical axis of the passage (that is, a central axis of the grid cubicle 14 normal to the plane thereof). The finger 60 is of substantially planar configuration, except for an upper portion thereof which is bent sharply backwards. The lower end of the finger 6O gradually tapers to a point, and preferably the upper end of the finger 60 sharply tapers to a point. The finger 60 is itself solid, substantially rigid, and preferably formed of steel or other rigid material resistant to cutting by broken glass, sharp can edges and the like.

The means for urging an end of the finger 60 spaced from the grid 12 towards the axis of the passage is generally a resilient spring-like composition disposed between the rear surface 60a of finger 60 and the adjacent corner of the grid cubicle 14. As illustrated, it is a simple resiliently bowed leaf spring 64 fastened to the rear finger surface 60a through a pair of apertures 70 and pop rivets 72 (see FIG. 7) therethrough, and having rear and front surfaces 64a and 64b respectively.

The finger 60 is removably and pivotally secured to the grid cubicle 14 by securing means such as a block 62 (see FIG. disposed on the rear surface 60a of the finger 60. The block 62 is of generally rectangular configuration, the front face 62a thereof having a small horizontal groove 68 extending horizontally across the front face 62a. The top of spring 64 terminates at the lower lip of groove 68, and the groove 68 is of sufficient radius to permit substantially total receipt therein of one side of the locking ring 32 (a side being the length thereof between a pair of adjacent corners). The front surface 62a of the portion of the block 62 beneath the horizontal groove 68 is integrally fastened to the rear spring surface 64a through aperture 70 by means of the same rivets 72 which secure the spring 64 to the finger 60; however, alternatively, adhesive or other conventional techniques may be utilized to secure together the block 62, the spring 64, and the finger 60. The portion of the block 62 above the horizontal groove 68 has sides sloping upwardly and inwardly and has a front or finger-facing surface 62a sloping upwardly and rearwardly (that is, away from the rear finger surface 60a).

The entire upper portion of the block 62, including the upper lip of the groove 68, is slightly spaced from rear finger surface 60a by the thickness of spring 64.

The upper block portion is furthermore resiliently displaceable from the rear finger surface 60a, the resiliency being such as to provide under manually applied stress a passageway for a side of the locking ring 32 between the front surface 62a of the upper portion of the block 62 and the rear surface 60a of the finger 60, yet to effectively close the passageway when stress is removed by forcing the front surface 62a of the upper portion so close to the rear finger surface 60a that the side of ring 32 is denied access to or exit from the groove 68. Thus, due to the upwardly and rearwardly sloped configuration of the upper portion of block 62 and the slight spacing between rear finger surface 60a and front upper block surface 62a, a finger subassembly 16 may be slipped upwardly on the side of locking ring 32 connecting two intersecting plates 30, of a given grid cubicle 14 until the side slips into the groove 68, at which point the front block surface 620 snaps back close to the rear finger surface 600 to close the passageway and maintain the ring side within the groove 68. Removal of the finger subassembly 16 from the grid cubicle 14 is easily accomplished by manually displacing the upper portion of the block 62 from the rear finger surface a using a degree of force in excess of that normally occurring in that direction during typical packer operations and pulling downwardly on the finger subassembly 16 to permit the ring side to emerge from groove 68 and pass upwardly between the upper portion of the block 62 and the rear finger surface 60a until the top of the finger subassembly 16 is clear. Accordingly, removal of a used finger subassembly 16 from a grid cubicle l4 and insertion of a replace ment finger subassembly 16 is easily and rapidly ac complishable on the spot, without interruption of a pro duction line, and without requiring the use of tools.

Once the finger subassembly 16 has been slipped onto the grid cubicle l4 and the side of locking ring 32 is seated in groove 68, the finger subassembly 16 is able to pivot about the locking ring side, the reduced width of the upper portion of block 62 (resulting from the inward slope of the sides) permitting free movement of the upper block portion within the corner of the grid cubicle 14. With the finger subassembly 16 depending in a generally vertical orientation from a side of locking ring 32 substantially trapped in groove 68, the rear surface 64a ofa mid-portion of the spring 64 bears against the post 52 depending from a corner of the grid cubicle 14. The natural resiliency of the spring 64 causes the entire finger subassembly 16 to pivot about the ring side so that the bottom end of finger 60 is urged towards the axis of the passage through grid cubicle 14, where it joins with the bottom ends of other finger subassemblies 16 disposed in other corners of the grid cubicle 14 to form a point 24. (The top backwardly bent portion of finger 60 is preferably of such length and at such an angle to the body of the finger 60 that it slips into a corner of the grid cubicle l4 and abuts against the intersection of plates 30, 30' thereby acting as a limit on the forward movement of the bottom end of the finger 60. It thus facilitates formation of the point 24 as well as sheltering securing block 62 and spring 64.) Thus the polychrestic ring 32 is properly considered and referred to both as a locking ring and a pivot ring, and each side thereof may be deemed a pivot rod.

The composition of the block 62 is preferably selected to provide a low coefficient of friction (to facilitate pivoting of the finger subassembly 16 about the side of locking ring 32), good wear characteristics (to minimize the need for replacement of worn finger subassemblies 16), and a high degree of resiliency (to permit intentional insertion and removal of the finger subassembly 16 from the grid cubicle 14 while otherwise insuring retention of the two in an operative disposition).

The disposition of the securing means 62 and the spring 64 on the rear surface 600 of the finger 60 serves to protect both of these elements from the dangers of being cut by horizontally flying broken glass, sharp can edges and the like, with the more damage resistant rigid finger 60 bearing the brunt of such dangers. The backward bend of the uppermost portion of the finger 60 additionally serves to protect the more delicate block 62 and spring 64 from any damage by vertically falling objects. The disposition of the finger subassemblies 16 in the corners of a grid cubicle 14 external to the cubicle passage therethrough permits most round product units 26 (e.g., most bottles, cans and the like) to easily pass through the grid cubicle 14 without impedance, as

the sides of a round object 26 will be tangent to the fiat sides of the grid cubicle 14 (formed by the plates 30, 30) and remote from the corners thereof which contain the finger subassemblies 16 (see FIG. 8). Also, while the fingersubassembly 16 is securely retained on the side of the locking ring 32 during normal packaging operations, the slight resiliency of the block 62 permits the entire finger subassembly 16 to be replaced, as a unit, merely by using force'somewhat in excess of what is normallygenerated duringthe packing operation.

Operation of the packer assembly is exceedingly simple. As shown in FIG. 1, product units 26 are arranged in the appropriate'configuration and allowed to fall through the assembly 10 into the partitions 22 of the carton 18 disposed below. Prior to passageof the product unit 26 through the assembly 10, the fingers 60 of the four finger subassemblies 16 of each grid cubicle 14 come together to form point 24, as shown in FIG. 7. The rear surface 62a of spring 64 of each finger subassembly, 16 bears against the non-slip surface of an associated post 52, causing the several fingers 60 to advance towards the axis of the article-passage through the grid cubicle I4, each of the finger subassemblies 16 pivoting about an associated side of locking ring 32 retaine'd within groove 68 of the securing block 62. As

the product unit 26 falls between the fingers 60, the

bottom ends of the fingers 60 retreat (against the force of springs 64), each entire finger subassembly 16 pivoting about an associated side of locking ring 32 within groove 68' of its securing block 62, as shown in FIG. 8. After the bottle has dropped through the assembly 10 and into the carton cubicle 22, the action of springs 64 against posts 52 forces the several finger subassemblies point along the'axis of the passagethrough the grid eubicle 14 so that the dropping product unit will still be guided into the mispositioned carton cubicle 22. By way of contrast, ifthecarton 18 was out-of-position with priorart packer assemblies using flexible fingers;

one or more of'the flexible fingers would merely bend,

rather than reposition outboard of the point, and thus insure that the dropping product unit would be'trapped' by the bent finger and so unable to reach the desired carton cubicle.

Referring now toFIG. l, in a preferred embodiment the grid 12 has at least a 2 X 2 arrangement of grid cubicles 14.'In this case, each plate 30 has at least three of the slot groupings 34 horizontally aligned, and the single locking ring 32 disposed at the center of'the-grid configuration locks the middle slot groups 34 of a pair' of intersecting plates30, 30 to form one 'corner-each of four of the grid cubicles 14. Each of the four sides of the one lo'cking ring 32 is thus engaged by a different one of the four finger subassemblies 16 associated with a different-'one of the four grid cubicles 14. In such an arrangement, a single locking ring 32 not only serves to lock a 'pair of intersecting plates in a fixed configuration, but additionally provides pivot points for four separate finger subassemblies l6.

- spring 64' .rather than a leaf spring 64. In this embodiment, posts 52 are not required, andsomewhat elongated securing blocks 62' are directly affixed to the fingers 60 by means of rivets 72. The helical compression spring 64' has an'eye 99 at one. end slipped over the end of a somewhat elongated threaded stud 50, where it is held in place by a nut 100 and washer 102. The other end is received in an appropriately configured and dimensioned indentation 104 in the rear surface 62b of securing block 62'. Thus the compression spring 64 is operatively engaged by, and maintained in a substantially horizontal plane between, the stud 50' and the in dentation 104 of block 62. Like the leaf spring 64, the compressionspring 64' urges the bottom end of the finger-60 forward towards the passage axis of the grid cubicle 14. A primary advantage of this embodiment is that the urging means 64 may be replaced without replacement of the remainder of the finger subassembly 16 (namely, the finger 60 and the securing means 62); alternatively, the finger 60 and securing means 62' may be replaced without replacementof the urging means 64.

The preferred embodiments of the present invention having been shown and described in detail, various improvements and modifications thereon will readily become apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the spirit and scope of the present invention is not limited by the foregoing disclosure, but only by the appended claims.

We claim:

1. In a packer grid and fingers assembly comprising A. a grid of generally horizontal orientation defining at least one grid cubicle of polygonal configuration having an article-passage therethrough', and

B. a plurality of replaceable finger subassemblies for each said grid cubicle disposed about said passage thereof and having a generally vertical orientation, each of said finger subassemblies comprising i. an elongated substantially rigid finger, said finger having afront surface facing said passage axis and a rear surface facing said grid cubicle,

ii. means for removably and pivotally securing said finger subassembly to said grid cubicle external to said passage, and

iii. means for urging an end of said finger spaced from said grid toward the axis of said passage;

the improvement wherein said finger subassemblies are separately mounted in different corners of said grid cubicle with the rear surface of said fingers facing said corners, and said securing means comprises a block secured adjacent the rear surface of said finger and having a horizontal groove on the finger-facing surface intermediate the ends thereof pivotally mounting said finger subassembly on said grid.

2. The assembly of claim 1 wherein each of said blocks has a horizontal axis extending transversely across a different one of said corners.

f 3'. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said groove extends across said finger-facing surface and pivotally mounts said finger subassembly to a portion of said grid assembly connecting adjacent sides of said grid cubicle.

4. The-assembly of claim 1 wherein said block has an upper portion resiliently displaceable from the rear surface of said finger,and said finger subassembly is removably mounted on a portion of said grid engaged between said upper portion and the rear surface of said finger, whereby said finger subassembly is removable from said grid by pressure exerted against the resilient bias of said upper portion.

5. In a packer grid and fingers assembly comprising A. a grid of generally horizontal orientation defining at least one grid cubicle of polygonal configuration having an article-passage therethrough; and

B. a plurality of replaceable finger subassemblies for each said grid cubicle disposed about said passage thereof and having a generally vertical orientation, each of said finger subassemblies comprising i. an elongated substantially rigid finger, said finger having a front surface facing said passage axis and a rear surface facing said grid cubicle,

ii. means for removably and pivotally securing said finger subassembly to said grid cubicle external to said passage, and

iii. means for urging an end of said finger spaced from said grid toward the axis of said passage;

the improvement wherein said finger subassemblies are separately mounted in different corners of said grid cubicle with the rear surface of said fingers facing said corners, and said urging means comprises a resilient composition disposed between the rear surface of said finger and said grid urging the bottom end of said finger towards said passage axis.

6. The assembly of claim 5 wherein said urging means comprises a spring operatively engaged by the rear surface of said finger? 7. The assembly of claim 6 wherein said urging means comprises a leaf-spring bearing on said grid and urging the bottom of said finger forwardly.

8. The assembly of claim 6 wherein said urging means comprises a helical compression spring secured to said grid and urging the bottom of said finger forwardly.

9. In a packer grid and fingers assembly comprising A. a grid defining at least one grid cubicle of polygonal configuration having an article-passage therethrough; and

B. a plurality of replaceable finger subassemblies for each said grid cubicle disposed about said passage thereof and having an orientation generally normal to said grid, each of said finger subassemblies comprising i. an elongated substantially rigid finger,

ii. means for removably and pivotally securing said finger subassembly to said grid cubicle external to said passage, and

iii. means for urging an end of said finger spaced from said grid toward the axis of said passage;

the improvement wherein said grid comprises a plurality of intersecting plates forming said at least one grid cubicle of polygonal configuration, and a plurality of centrally apertured polygonal means for locking a pair of intersecting plates in said intersecting relationship; and wherein said finger subassemblies are disposed in corners of said grid cubicle with the rear surface of said fingers facing said corners.

10. The assembly of claim 9 wherein said grid cubicle each of said plates has at least two spaced groups of a pair of slots of a first width and an intermediate slot of a second width between said pair of slots, said first width being substantially the thickness of said locking means between said central aperture thereof and an outer corner thereof and said second width being substantially the thickness of an intersecting plate, each of said slots vertically opening on a single horizontal edge of said plate, one of said intermediate slots of a first of said plates receiving a portion of a second of said plates vertically aligned with one of said intermediate slots of said second plate to form an intersection, and said slot pairs of said first and second plates about said intermediate slots receiving opposed corners of said locking means to lock said first and second plates in such intersecting relationship.

1 l. The assembly of claim 10 wherein in said grid cubicle said slotted horizontal edges of said intersecting plates are disposed in alternating vertical configuration.

12. The assembly of claim 10 wherein each of said plates has at least three of said spaced slot groups horizontally aligned, and wherein one of said locking means locks a pair of said intersecting plates intermediate the end slot groups thereof to form one corner each of four of said grid cubicles, each side of said one locking means being engaged by a different one of said finger subassemblies associated with a different one of said four grid cubicles.

13. The assembly of claim 9 wherein said grid further comprises a plurality of rigid posts, each of said posts depending from a point of intersection of said plates to provide a bearing surface for an associated one of said urging means.

14. The assembly of claim 9 wherein each of said grid cubicles comprises four of said plates interlocked by four of said locking means.

15. The assembly of claim 9 wherein said securing means comprises a block disposed on one surface of said finger and having a horizontal groove on the finger-facing surface intermediate the ends thereof, said groove engagingly and pivotally receiving a side of said locking means between the corners thereof within said grid cubicle.

16. The assembly of claim 15 wherein a first portion of said block on one side of said groove is integrally fastened to said finger, and a second portion of said block on the other side of said groove is resiliently displaceable away from said finger to permit said locking means side access to and from said groove by passage between said second block portion and said finger.

17. The assembly of claim 16 wherein said first block portion is below said groove and said second block por tion is above said groove.

18. The assembly of claim 9 wherein said block is of low friction resilient composition.

19. The assembly of claim 9 wherein in said finger subassembly one end of said finger thereof normally extends over said securing means thereof and said urging means thereof to shelter said securing and urgingmeans.

20. The assembly of claim 9 wherein said grid cubicle is'of generally horizontal orientation and comprises four of said plates interlocked by four of said locking means to form a rectangular configuration, each of said locking means having a centrally apertured square configuration and interlocking two of said plates; and wherein four of said finger subassemblies are associated with said grid cubicle, one of said associated finger subassemblies having a generally vertical orientation and being associated with one side of one of said four locking means, said finger thereof having a front surface facing said passage axis of said grid cubicle and a rear surface facing an adjacent corner of said grid cubicle, said securing means thereof comprising a block dispersed on said rear finger surface and having a horizontal groove on the finger-facing surface thereof intermediate the ends thereof, said groove suitably receiving said one associated side of said of said one locking means, the lower portion of said block beneath said groove being integrally fastened to said finger and the upper portion of said block above said groove being resiliently displaceable away from said finger to provide said associated one side of said one locking means acsaid four grid cubicles. 

1. In a packer grid and fingers assembly comprising A. a grid of generally horizontal orientation defining at least one grid cubicle of polygonal configuration having an article-passage therethrough; and B. a plurality of replaceable finger subassemblies for each said grid cubicle disposed about saId passage thereof and having a generally vertical orientation, each of said finger subassemblies comprising i. an elongated substantially rigid finger, said finger having a front surface facing said passage axis and a rear surface facing said grid cubicle, ii. means for removably and pivotally securing said finger subassembly to said grid cubicle external to said passage, and iii. means for urging an end of said finger spaced from said grid toward the axis of said passage; the improvement wherein said finger subassemblies are separately mounted in different corners of said grid cubicle with the rear surface of said fingers facing said corners, and said securing means comprises a block secured adjacent the rear surface of said finger and having a horizontal groove on the finger-facing surface intermediate the ends thereof pivotally mounting said finger subassembly on said grid.
 2. The assembly of claim 1 wherein each of said blocks has a horizontal axis extending transversely across a different one of said corners.
 3. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said groove extends across said finger-facing surface and pivotally mounts said finger subassembly to a portion of said grid assembly connecting adjacent sides of said grid cubicle.
 4. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said block has an upper portion resiliently displaceable from the rear surface of said finger, and said finger subassembly is removably mounted on a portion of said grid engaged between said upper portion and the rear surface of said finger, whereby said finger subassembly is removable from said grid by pressure exerted against the resilient bias of said upper portion.
 5. In a packer grid and fingers assembly comprising A. a grid of generally horizontal orientation defining at least one grid cubicle of polygonal configuration having an articlepassage therethrough; and B. a plurality of replaceable finger subassemblies for each said grid cubicle disposed about said passage thereof and having a generally vertical orientation, each of said finger subassemblies comprising i. an elongated substantially rigid finger, said finger having a front surface facing said passage axis and a rear surface facing said grid cubicle, ii. means for removably and pivotally securing said finger subassembly to said grid cubicle external to said passage, and iii. means for urging an end of said finger spaced from said grid toward the axis of said passage; the improvement wherein said finger subassemblies are separately mounted in different corners of said grid cubicle with the rear surface of said fingers facing said corners, and said urging means comprises a resilient composition disposed between the rear surface of said finger and said grid urging the bottom end of said finger towards said passage axis.
 6. The assembly of claim 5 wherein said urging means comprises a spring operatively engaged by the rear surface of said finger.
 7. The assembly of claim 6 wherein said urging means comprises a leaf-spring bearing on said grid and urging the bottom of said finger forwardly.
 8. The assembly of claim 6 wherein said urging means comprises a helical compression spring secured to said grid and urging the bottom of said finger forwardly.
 9. In a packer grid and fingers assembly comprising A. a grid defining at least one grid cubicle of polygonal configuration having an article-passage therethrough; and B. a plurality of replaceable finger subassemblies for each said grid cubicle disposed about said passage thereof and having an orientation generally normal to said grid, each of said finger subassemblies comprising i. an elongated substantially rigid finger, ii. means for removably and pivotally securing said finger subassembly to said grid cubicle external to said passage, and iii. means for urging an end of said finger spaced from said grid toward the axis of said passage; the improvement wherein said grid comprises a plurality Of intersecting plates forming said at least one grid cubicle of polygonal configuration, and a plurality of centrally apertured polygonal means for locking a pair of intersecting plates in said intersecting relationship; and wherein said finger subassemblies are disposed in corners of said grid cubicle with the rear surface of said fingers facing said corners.
 10. The assembly of claim 9 wherein said grid cubicle each of said plates has at least two spaced groups of a pair of slots of a first width and an intermediate slot of a second width between said pair of slots, said first width being substantially the thickness of said locking means between said central aperture thereof and an outer corner thereof and said second width being substantially the thickness of an intersecting plate, each of said slots vertically opening on a single horizontal edge of said plate, one of said intermediate slots of a first of said plates receiving a portion of a second of said plates vertically aligned with one of said intermediate slots of said second plate to form an intersection, and said slot pairs of said first and second plates about said intermediate slots receiving opposed corners of said locking means to lock said first and second plates in such intersecting relationship.
 11. The assembly of claim 10 wherein in said grid cubicle said slotted horizontal edges of said intersecting plates are disposed in alternating vertical configuration.
 12. The assembly of claim 10 wherein each of said plates has at least three of said spaced slot groups horizontally aligned, and wherein one of said locking means locks a pair of said intersecting plates intermediate the end slot groups thereof to form one corner each of four of said grid cubicles, each side of said one locking means being engaged by a different one of said finger subassemblies associated with a different one of said four grid cubicles.
 13. The assembly of claim 9 wherein said grid further comprises a plurality of rigid posts, each of said posts depending from a point of intersection of said plates to provide a bearing surface for an associated one of said urging means.
 14. The assembly of claim 9 wherein each of said grid cubicles comprises four of said plates interlocked by four of said locking means.
 15. The assembly of claim 9 wherein said securing means comprises a block disposed on one surface of said finger and having a horizontal groove on the finger-facing surface intermediate the ends thereof, said groove engagingly and pivotally receiving a side of said locking means between the corners thereof within said grid cubicle.
 16. The assembly of claim 15 wherein a first portion of said block on one side of said groove is integrally fastened to said finger, and a second portion of said block on the other side of said groove is resiliently displaceable away from said finger to permit said locking means side access to and from said groove by passage between said second block portion and said finger.
 17. The assembly of claim 16 wherein said first block portion is below said groove and said second block portion is above said groove.
 18. The assembly of claim 9 wherein said block is of low friction resilient composition.
 19. The assembly of claim 9 wherein in said finger subassembly one end of said finger thereof normally extends over said securing means thereof and said urging means thereof to shelter said securing and urging means.
 20. The assembly of claim 9 wherein said grid cubicle is of generally horizontal orientation and comprises four of said plates interlocked by four of said locking means to form a rectangular configuration, each of said locking means having a centrally apertured square configuration and interlocking two of said plates; and wherein four of said finger subassemblies are associated with said grid cubicle, one of said associated finger subassemblies having a generally vertical orientation and being associated with one side of one of said four locking means, said finger thereof havinG a front surface facing said passage axis of said grid cubicle and a rear surface facing an adjacent corner of said grid cubicle, said securing means thereof comprising a block dispersed on said rear finger surface and having a horizontal groove on the finger-facing surface thereof intermediate the ends thereof, said groove suitably receiving said one associated side of said of said one locking means, the lower portion of said block beneath said groove being integrally fastened to said finger and the upper portion of said block above said groove being resiliently displaceable away from said finger to provide said associated one side of said one locking means access to and from said groove between said upper block portion and said rear finger surface.
 21. The assembly of claim 20 wherein each of said plates is horizontally extended and has at least three of said spaced slot groups horizontally aligned, and wherein one of said locking means locks a pair of said plates intermediate the end slot groups thereof to form one corner each of four of said grid cubicles, each side of said one locking means being engaged by one of said finger subassemblies associated with a different one of said four grid cubicles. 